Table 3.
Descriptive table comparing readmission versus outpatient treatment for SSI diagnosed after discharge
| SSI diagnosis after discharge, treated as outpatient |
SSI diagnosis after discharge, readmitted | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Totals (%) | 79 (45.9) | 93 (54.1) | |
| Characteristics | |||
| Age | 52.9 (SD = 15.99) | 52.9 (SD = 15.68) | .97 |
| BMI | 33.44 (SD = 11.81) | 31.26 (SD = 10.60) | .19 |
| Race | .48 | ||
| White | 71 (89.97) | 88 (94.62) | |
| Black | 5 (6.33) | 4 (4.3) | |
| Other | 3 (3.8) | 1 (1.08) | |
| Female sex | 41 (51.9) | 47 (50.54) | .87 |
| Diabetes | 8 (10.13) | 5 (5.38) | .26 |
| Smoker | 9 (11.39) | 17 (18.28) | .28 |
| Dyspnea | 8 (10.13) | 10 (10.76) | .31 |
| Partial/total functional dependence | 6 (7.59) | 8 (8.6) | 1 |
| Ventilator | 1 (1.27) | 1 (1.08) | 1 |
| COPD | 4 (5.06) | 1 (1.08) | .18 |
| Ascites | 1 (1.27) | 2 (2.15) | 1 |
| CHF | 0 | 0 | |
| HTN | 38 (48.10 ) | 38 (40.86) | .3591 |
| ARF | 0 | 0 | |
| Dialysis | 0 | 0 | |
| Disseminated cancer | 3 (3.80) | 5 (5.38) | .72 |
| Open wound | 7 (8.86) | 9 (9.68) | 1 |
| Steroids | 4 (5.06) | 4 (4.3) | 1 |
| Weight loss .10% 6 mo preoperatively | 1 (1.27) | 9 (9.68) | .02 |
| Bleeding d/o | 4 (5.06) | 5 (5.38) | 1 |
| Transfusions within 72 h preoperatively | 1 (1.27) | 0 | .45 |
| Sepsis within 48 h preoperatively | 11 (13.92) | 19 (20.43) | .31 |
| Wound class | .26 | ||
| Clean | 15 (18.99) | 11 (11.83) | |
| Clean/contaminated | 44 (55.7) | 52 (55.91) | |
| Contaminated | 8 (10.13) | 18 (19.35) | |
| Dirty/infected | 12 (15.19) | 12 (12.9) | |
| ASA category | .3 | ||
| No disturbance | 5 (6.33) | 1 (1.08) | |
| Mild | 42 (53.16) | 52 (55.91) | |
| Severe | 30 (37.97) | 36 (38.71) | |
| Life-threatening or moribund | 2 (2.53) | 4 (4.3) |
ARF = acute renal failure; ASA = American Society of Anesthesiologists; BMI = body mass index; CHF = congestive heart failure; COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder; d/o = disorder; HTN = hypertension; LOS = length of stay; SD = standard deviation; SSI = surgical site infection.